Double-acting explosive-engine.



N0. 809,451. PATENTED JAN. 9, 1906.

J. W. KYLE & J. W. HICKS.

DOUBLE ACTING EXPLOSIVE ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED DEO. 17, 1902.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

. ummm 1.1.,

. In' III j'liilllllllllllllllll- 5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

. w/, NMA,... .......MMW f//Z PATENIED JAN. 9, 1906. '.T. W. KYLE & J. W. HICKS.

DOUBLE ACTING EXPLOSIVE ENGINE.

v1.41... .w rlllliavivf I ...yliwnlwr ull APPLICATION FILED DEO. 17, 1902.

No. 809,451. PATENTED JAN. 9, 1906. J. W. KYLE & J. W. HICKS.

DOUBLE ACTING EXPLOSIVE ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED DEO. 17, 1902.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

i l. .1 WHLE;

IM ill,v 0

iIlIilUUIIIIIUIIMMIIIIIIIIIII El ETT-" 6. 4 O T N n H la s 9 N ANA u J m D 5 E m Uw E N A .m ,PQmN2. mi 11H1 HVU mMn.. Www vmmw @Ewn.. E r N Lmm YIT KTM .MH WFH LLA B U 0 D 1.... 5 4s 9 0 8 0| n N PATENTED JAN. 9, 1906.

J. W. KYLE & J. W. HICKS. DOUBLE ACTING EXPLOSIVB ENGINE. APPLICATION FILED 1320.11, 1902.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

i l l i i i i l i .and defined in the appended claims.

.vertical longitudinal section of the same.

UNITED STATES JOSEPH W. KYLE AND JOHN W. HICKS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNORS PATENT OFFICE.

OF ONE-THIRD TO GARFIELD G. BENNETT, 'OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

l ySpeccaton of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 9, 1906.

Application filed December 17, 1902. Serial No. 135.593.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, JOSEPH W. KYLE and JOHN W. HICKS, citizens of the United States, and residents of the city of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Double-Acting Explosive-Engines; and we do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of referencemarked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates more particularly to explosive-engines of that class in which an explosion nr impulse is given at each revolution of the shaft.

Ileretofore in most explosive-engines valves having movable parts 'are employed in the ports, which owing to the heat generated by the combustion of the gases fre uently fail to operate satisfactorily, materiallly decreasing the efficiency of the engine.

The object of this invention is to provide a compact and simple construction in'which no valves are employed in positions subjected to heat.

It is also an object of the invention to provide improved means for generating and mixing the gases of combustion and supplying the same in regulable char esto the cylinders at each revolution of the saft.

The invention consists in the matters hereinafter described, and more fully pointed out 4 In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a device embodying `our invention. Fig. 2 is a central vertical section of the same, taken longitudinally. Fig; 3 is an elevation of the end opposite the generating and mixing devices. Fig. 4 is a central transverse vertical section showing the shaft in elevation. Fig. 5 is an enlarged top plan view of the charging and mixing means. Fig. 6 is a Fig. 7 is a transverse section thereof. Fig. 8 is an enlarged transverse section of the sparker. Fig. 9 is an 'end elevation of the same. Fig. 10-is a longitudinal section'of the relief-cylinder and a part of one of the enginecylinders.

As shown in said drawings, said engine `as shown is constructed double-that is to say,

with two cylinders, one above the other-and formed of two castings A and A, which, as

shown, 'are cored out to provide inlet-chambers a a and an exhaust-chamber a2 and water-chambers a3 and a4, as shown in Fig. 2. The

parts forming said. casing or shell, as shown, are permanently and rigidly secured together by means of bolts passing through the flanged edges ofthe same, and cvlindric linings or bushings A2 and A3 are provided longitudinally therein. Oppositely-reciprocatin istons C and C areprovided in each end ofgeiich cylinder. I-IeadsB and B are provided ateach end of the casing closing the ends of both cylinders and each provided with apertures and I suitable stuffing boxes or glands b, concentric with the respective cylinders for the pistonrods c c', which at their inner ends are each secured, respectively, in the piston-headsC C. On the outer ends of the piston-rods at each end of the engine are secured the cross-.heads D D respectively. Said cross-heads each comprise a vertical bar d, integrally connected at its middle part at right angles with the laterally-proj ecting arms d d2, the ends of which project beyond the sides of the engine-casing and are formed to provide journals for the connecting-rods E E and E E. A shaft F extends centrally through and is journaled in said casing between the cylinders and o`n any suitable bearing F, disposed laterally thereof, and is provided beyond said bearing with a suitable drivin -wheel F2, which also serves as a balance-w eel. A double crank (indicated as a whole by F3) is provided in said.

shaft in close proximity with the side ofthe casing and between the same and the bearing F and a similar doubie crank F3 is provided on theend ofthe shaft on the opposite side of the engine, and on the wrist-pins f fff of said cranks the inner ends of the connectingrods E E are journaled. The arrangement of said cranks and the connection wlth the respective connecting-rods are such as to necessitate the pistons in each end of each of the cylinders reciprocating simultaneously and oppositely for the greater portion of their travel, as shown in Fig. 2', and the crankarms connecting the wrist-pins ff of each crank are directed obliquely with the axis of the shaft F, thereby making it impossible'for thel connecting-rods to stop on centers. A pipelfir leads from agenerating and mixing IOO chamber (indicated as a whole by G) along the side of the casing and communicates at each end of the casing with the peripheral inlet chambers or passages a a', of which the passage a extends for a greater length longitudinally of the casing and is provided with a plurality of ports 11;, opening into each cylinder beyond the outermost travel of the pistons C', and a plurality of similar ports positioned to open into the cylinders on the innerside of the istons C when in the same position. The inlet-chamber a 1s. comparatively narrow and providedwith inlet-ports x2 for each of the cylinders opening into the cylinders at the outer end of each piston-head C when at the outer limit of their movement. Exhaust-ports y open from the cylinders into the exhaust-chamber a2 at the inner side of the pistons C when at their outer limit of movement ,and an exhaust-pipe A4 communicates with said exhaustchamber and acts to convey away the gases of combustion from the cylinders. I

Many different forms of generating and oyed. Prefermixin devices may be emp c ably, owever, the generatingvand mlxm chamber is such as 1s shown in lgs. 5, 6, an

7, comprising a casing g, providing within the same a comparatively large mixing-chamber g', communicating through a valved passage with a smaller chamber g8, which is 1n open communication with the pipe G and provided with a check-valve gg of any desired construction. A plurality of apertures are provided in the top of the casing g above the mixinghamber, beneath which is supported a conical screen of fabric, Woven wire, or other suitable material, (indicated by g2.) A pump is provided on the top of the casing comprising a cylinder g3, provided with a lunger g4 therein normally held at the outer limit of its movement by means of the spring A rod II is carried on the cross-head D and provided at its outer end with a tipplearm h, which engages the outer end of the plunger and actuates the same as the pistons reciprocate. Two passages g and g7 communicate with the cylinder g3, each of which is provided with a ball-valve, that in the passage g6 ermitting gasolene or other hydrocarbon uid to flow into the cylinder g3, while that in the passage 97 permits the fluid to be forced outwardly through said passage to fall upon the screen into the mixing-chamber g, where it is vaporized and passes into the chamber gs.. The reciprocation of the piston acts to draw air through the apertures in the casing g and through the screen g2 into the mixing-chamber, carrying therewith vaporized hydrocarbon, and into chamber gs and pipe G into the inlet-chambers.

Obviously any desired ignter or sparker may be used. Preferably7 however, an electrical sparker, such as that shown in Figs. 2,

` 4, 8, and 9, is used. Said s arker consists of a shaft I, journaled in a s eeve i, provided with a peripheral flange at its inner end and which fits Within and is insulated from the threaded sleeve i', flanged at its outer end by the sleeve 5.2, of indurated hard rubber or other insulating material. A peripheral flange is provided on the inner end of said sleeve, which insulates the flange of sleeve i from the end of the sleeve i. A washer '113, alsoof insulating material, is rovided at the outer end of the sleeve i. A ever I2, of fiber or other insulating material, is rigidly secured in the outer end of the shaft I, and nuts 'i7 'is are provided on the outer end of said shaft and between which the end one of the conductor is secured. A tappet-arm I is secured on the inner end of the shaft I, so that when the inner end of the sleeve 'i' is screwed into the casing A the tappet-arms I extend within the respective cylinders, near the middle thereof. Each tappet-arm is provided with a contact-piece i or engagement with a part carried on the inner surface of one of the piston-heads. The lever I2 on the outer end of said shaft normally contacts with an adjusting-screw i4, secured on the casing, as shown in Fig. 9, and a spring i5 is engaged on said lever or arm i4 and acts to hold sald arm normally in positive contact with said screw.

The operation is as follows: The engine being given its initial start in the usual manner, the tappet-arm hoperates the pump and injects a portion of hydrocarbon into the mixing-chainber g, where it is vaporized and mixed with air, while the movements of the pistons inwardly serves to draw the explosive mixture throu h the passage q7 and pipe G into the inlet-c ambers a and a and through the ports and x2 into the outer ends of the cylinders behind the pistons. AS the pistons move outwardly toward the ends of the cylinders the charge behind the same and in the pipes G are greatly compressed until the piston-heads reach the outward limit of their movement, in which positions the inletports and exhaust-ports y are open, permitting the mixture compressed by the back stroke of the piston to flow into the s ace between the piston-heads and forcing t e spent gas and products of combustion outwardly into the exhaust-ports y, scouring the cylinders. The inward movement of the pistons now begins, immediately closing the inletports and exhaust-ports y, and is continued com ressing the mixture between the pistonhea s until the pistons C', as shown, respectively, engage the contact-piecespn the tappet-arms I of the sparker, producing a spark in the combustible or explosivemixture between the istons sufficient to i nite the same, whereby the explosion again orces the piston outwardly to the outer limit of their movement, again compressing the gas behind IIO i l l ,l

the same, injecting a new charge into the cylinders between the pistons. Obviously inasmuch as the pistons in opposite ends of the cylinders move opposite y simultaneously and inasmuch as t e cranks are arranged slightly obliquely with the center of the shaft it is impossible for said cranks to be arranged on center in such a manner as to prevent the explosive charge from having the desired effeet. It is also to be observed that no valves provided with moving parts are em loyed in any part of the device exposed to t e action of heat and that the engine is perfectly balanced, the impulses being always exerted equally and oppositely, thus minimizin vibration and irregularity of operation. urthermore, it is obvious that if preferred the ports may be so arranged as to enable the initial compression of the charge to be made between the pistons and the explosions to be made simultaneously at the ends of the cylinders, or, in other words, the exact reverse of the construction shown. l

As a further im rovement the relief-cylinder M is provide on the casing at the end opposite the exhaust-ports and provided with a piston N therein, between which and the head m of the cylinder a strong spiral spring n engages. A port n o ens into said cylinder, which connects Wit the orts :I: and x', as shown in Fig. 10. When t e relief-cylinder is used, the compression of the mixture by the back stroke of the pistons C C compresses the sprin n, storing the energy of'the back stroke of t e piston, so that when the port x is opened the mixture is forced therethrough not only by its own expansion, but also by said piston N, thus immediately obtaining a desired compression in the ignition portion of the cylinders. Any arrangement also of water-jacket or other means for keeping the cylinders cool may be employed. We have also provided oil-cups K for each of the cylinders, which may be of any desired type or construction, which communicate through passages 7c c with the interior of both cylinders acting to discharge oil or grease thereinto during the operation of the device. If preferred, the cylinders instead of being arranged one above the other may be arranged side by side, and a greater or less number of cylinders may be employed, as preferred, and many details of construction may be varied without departing from the principles of our invention.

We claim as our invention- 1. An explosive-engine comprising a cylinder, simultaneously reciprocating pistons in each end thereof, a generating and mixing device, a pipe leading therefrom and opening into each end of the cylinder beyond the outermost travel of the pistons, an inlet-port in open communication with the pipe and disposed between the pistons when at their outermost limit of movement, an exhaustport also opening between the pistons when so positioned, a sparker positioned to ignite the charge when the pistons are at their inward limit of movement, a transverse shaft intermediate the ends of the cylinder, a plurality of oppositely-disposed cranks thereon and means connecting the outer ends of said pistons with said cranks and adapted to rotate said shaft.

2. The combination with a cylinder, of simultaneously and oppositely reciprocating pistons in each end thereof, unvalved communicating ports opening into each end of the cylinder beyond the outermost travel of the pistons, a like port opening between the pistons when in said position, means for supplying an explosive mixture through said ports into the ends of the cylinder which serve as compressionchambers and from thence between the pistons which in their inward movement compress the charge, a sparker disposed centrally of the. cylinders and acting to ignite the mixture when under maximum compression, a transverse shaft, oppositely-disposed cranks thereon and a p urality of connecting-rods connecting said pistons with said cranks.

8. An explosive-engine comprising a twopart casing rigidly bolted together and cored to provide inlet-passages, an exhaust-passage and a water-chamber, a cylindric bushing secured therein forming the engine-cylinder, oppositely and simultaneously reciprocating plstons in said cylinder having outwardlyextending piston-rods, a shaft disposed transversely of the pistons, a crank-arm on each end thereof, a cross-head on each of the piston-rods, and a connecting-rod secured on each end of each cross-head and operatively connected with the crank on each side of the engine.

4. An engine comprising a cylinder having a cast-metal jacket or casing surrounding the same and cored to provide an inlet-passage at each end of the same, an exhaust-passage intermediate of the ends, communicating waterassages surroundimr the cylinder, opposite y and simultaneously reciprocating pistons in each end of the cylinder which act to compress the explosive mixture at the outward movement and compress the charge on the inward movement, and a centrally-disposed sparker acting to ignite the charge at maximum pressure, a transverse shaft having a double crank on each side of the cylinder and a cross-head at each end of the cylinders and reciprocated by the pistons and connecting-rods on each side of the cylinders engaged on each end of each cross-head and connecting the same with the cranks.

5. The combination with two parallel cyl- IOO IIO

inders, of a transverse shaft extending centrally between the same, a double crank on said shaft on .each side of the cylinder, a reciprocatmg piston in each end of each cylinder the piston-rods of which extend through the cylinder-heads and are rigidly connected at eachend by .a cross-head, a connectingrod journaled on each side of each cross-head and connected with the cranks on said shaft on each side of the cylinder, ports arranged to admit the explosive mixture into the ends of the cylinders for initial compression an between the pistons for final compression and a sparker in each cylinder extending between the pistons.

6. In a double-acting engine the combination with parallel cylinders of oppositely and simultaneously reciprocating pistons in each end of each, a cross-head rigidly connected with the piston-rods at each end of the cylinders, a shaft extending centrally and transversely between the cylinders and provided on each side of the engine with a double crank, one of which is set obliquely with respect to the shaft and connecting-rods journaled on each side of each cross-head connected at their inner ends on said cranks.

7. In an engine the combination with pistons reciprocating oppositely in pairs, of a cross-head at each end of the engine, each rigidly connected with a plurality of the pistons, a connecting-rod on each side of each cross-head, a shaft having a plurality of double cranks thereon with which the connecting-rods engage and means for reciprocating the pistons.

8. In an engine the combination with pistons reciprocating oppositely in pairs, of a cross-head at each end of the engine, each rigidly connected with a, plurality of the pistons,`a connecting-rod on each side of each cross-head, a shaft having a plurality of double cranks thereon with which the connecting-rods engage and means for injecting and compressing an explosive mixture between the pistons and means for exploding same.

9. In a device of the class described the combination with oppositely-reciprocating istons, the cross-heads, shafts and connectlng-rods, of a generating and mixing device positioned near one end of the cylinder, a pump operated from one of the cross-heads and acting to force fluid hydrocarbon into the generating and mixing chamber and means for regulating the action of the pump.

10. In a device of the class described the combination Ywith -oppositely-reciprocating pistons, the cross-heads, shafts and connecting-rods, of a generating and mixing device positioned near one end of the cylinder, a pump operated from one of the cross-heads and acting to force fluid hydrocarbon into the generatin@ and mixing chamber and means for reglflating the action of the pump.

11. The combination'with an engine-cylinder having oppositely-reciprocating pistons therein, of a generating chamber, a pump positioned and connected to force hydrocarbon fluid into the generator at each stroke of the piston in regulable amounts, a tappetarm carried on one of the cross-heads and adapted to actuate the pump, a valved pipe leading from the enerating-chamber longitudinally of the cy inders and unvalved ports opening therefrom into the cylinders at each end thereof whereby the inward movement of the pistons acts to draw the explosive fluid into the ends of the cylinders.

' 12. The combination with an engine-cylinder having oppositely-reciprocating pistons therein, of a generating-chamber, a pump positioned and connected to force hydrocarbon fluid into the generator at each stroke of the piston in regulable amounts, a tappet-arm carried on one of the cross-heads and adapted to actuate the pump, a valved pipe leading from the generating-chamber longitudinally of the cylinders and unvalved ports openjn therefrom into the cylinders at each end thereof whereby the inward movement of the pistons acts to draw the explosive uid into the ends of the cylinders, and a port opening between the pistons and acting to admit the fluid therefrom between the pistons.

13. In an explosive-engine the combination with two cylinders located one above the other, of a simultaneously and oppositely reciprocatinv piston in each end of each cylinder, cross-heads connecting the outwardlyextending ends of the piston-rods thereof, laterally-directed arms on each cross-head, a shaft extending centrally and transversely between the cylinders, a double crank on each end thereof, a connecting-rod journaled on each of the projecting arms of each crosshead and each connected at their inner ends with the respective cranks on said shaft.

14. In an explosive-engine the combination with two cylinders located one above the other, of a simultaneously and oppositely reciprocatinof piston in each end of each cylinder, crossheads connecting the outwardlyextending ends of the piston-rods thereof, 'laterally-directed arms on each cross-head, a shaft extending centrally and transversely between the cylinders, a double crankon each end thereof, a connecting-rod journaled on each of the projecting arms of each crosshead and each connected at their inner ends with the respective cranks on said shaft, means for admitting' explosive mixture between the pistons in each cylinder and compressing the same by the inward movement of said pistons and a sparker disposed between the pistons and each cylinder and acting to release the fluid when at maximum compression.

15. The combination in an explosive-engine, of a plurality of parallel cylinders located one above the other, a shaft extending transversely between the cylinders, a double crank on each end thereof, said double cranks IOO IIO

being arra ed with their centers out of alinement with t e center of the shaft.

16. The combination with a plurality of cylinders, of a simultaneously and oppositely reciprocating piston in each end of each cylinder, a cross-head connecting the ends of the piston-rods at'each end of the cylinders, laterally-projecting arms on each cross-head extending beyond the sides of the cylinders, a shaft extending transversely between the cylinders a double crank on each end, connecting-rods journaled at their outer ends on the ends of said arms and at their inner ends on the respective cranks on said shaft, a generating and mixing device for hydrocarbon iuid operated from one of the cross-heads and unvalved passages and ports adapted to admit the explosive mixture into the ends of the cylinder during the inward movement of the pistons, to be. compressed during the outward movement thereof and a passage connecting with the ends of the cylinders adapted to admit the same between the pistons under maximum pressure whereby inward movement of the pistons acts to complete the compression and means for igniting the charge when under maximum compression.

17. The combination with a plurality of cylinders, of a simultaneously and oppositely reciprocating piston in each end of each cylinder, a cross-head connecting the ends of the piston-rods at each end of the cylinders, laterally-projecting arms on each cross-head extending beyond the sides of the cylinders, a shaft extending transversely between the cylinders a double crank on each end, connectin rods j ournaled at their outer ends on the en s of said arms and at their inner ends on the respective cranks on said shaft, a generating and mixing device for hydrocarbon fluid operated from one of the cross-heads and unvalved passages and ports adapted to admit the explosive mixture into the ends of the cylinder during the inward movement of the istons, to be compressed during the outwardl movement thereof and a passage connecting with'l the ends of the cylinders adapted to admit the same between the pistons under maximum pressure whereby inward movement of the pistons acts to complete the compression, and electrically-operated sparkers disposed between the pistons of each cylinder and acting to ignite the charge.

18. In an explosive-engine the combination with a plurality of cylinders having in their ends oppositely-reciprocating pistons,

a generating and mixing device connected,

with said cylinders and adapted to supply an explosive mixture into the ends of the cylinders during the inward stroke of the piston, a passage and ports permitting the escape of said mixture into the cylinders between the pistons when compressed by the outward stroke thereof, an electrically-operated sparker intermediate'of said pistons comprising an insulated tappet-arm having at its inner end a conducting contact-piece adapted to make and break contact with one of the pistons, an electrical connection at the outer end of said sparker and a driving-shaft extending transversely between said cylinders.

19. 'The combination with a cylinder of oppositelyreciprocating pistons in the ends thereof, means for admitting an explosive mixture into the ends of the cylinder during the inward stroke of the piston, a relief-cylinder connected by ports with said ends of the cylinders and adapted to permit the compression of the explosive mixture therein during the outward stroke of the pistons, an exhaust-port located between the pistons when at the outermost limit of their travel and ports leading from the relief-cylinder to a point intermediate of the piston and adapted to deliver the explosive mixture between the cylinders for final compression and combustion.

20. In .an explosive-engine a relief-cylinder communicating with the compression ends of the ex losion-cylinder, a passage and port leading t ercfrom and opening into the combustion-chamber when the Huid is under maximum compression, and a spring-pressed piston in said relief-cylinder acting to maintain uniform tension on the Asaid explosive iiuid when said passage and ports are open.

21. The combination in an explosive-engine comprising a cylinder having oppositelymovable pistons in the end thereof, a generating and mixing device connected to supply an explosive mixture into the ends of the cylinder durin the inward movement of the piston, a relie -cylinder connected with the ends of the cylinder and a compression-cylinder connected with the ends of the combustion-cylinder, a spring-pressed piston-head therein acting to malntain approximately uniform tension on the fluid, a passage and ports leading therefrom and connecting with the combustion-chamber between the pistons when the same are at the outward limit of their stroke, an exhaust-passage also located between the pistons when so positioned and means whereby the charge is ignited atl the maximum compression during the inward stroke of the piston.

22. In an explosive-en lne the combination with a plurality of cy inders of a crankshaft' extending transversely between the same, a plurality of cranks on said shaft arranged in obliquely-disposed pairs, a piston in each end of each cylinder, rods connecting said pistons with said cranks a hydrocarbongenerator operated by the movement of the pistons and means for admitting hydrocaron from the generator to said cylinders.

23. In an explosive-engine the combination with a plurality of cylinders of a shell in- IIO necting said crnks with the outer ends of the piston-rods.

In testimony whereof We have hereunto subscribed our names in the presence of tWo subscribing Witnesses. t

JOSEPH W.- KYLE. JOHN W. HICKS.

Witnesses:

C. W. HILLS, G. G. BENNETT. 

